State Board of Trustees for the Hartford Public Schools

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• The Hartford public school system consists of 35 elementary, middle, and secondary schools (plus an additional eight special and alternative education programs). The system’s October 1, 1998 student enrollment totaled 23,734, making it the largest school system in the state.

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• Anticipated 1998-99 budget expenditures total approximately $269 million, including $184 million in general budget funds, $50 million in special funds, and $35 million in city funds to account for indirect/fringe benefit costs.

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• Special Act 97-4 declared an educational crisis existed in the Hartford public school system. The act dissolved the local board of education and established a state board of trustees to take managerial and administrative control of the school system beginning June 1, 1997.

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• The board’s term expires June 30, 2000, with a possible two-year extension determined by the Connecticut State Board of Education.

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• Special Act 97-4 gives the board of trustees specific duties and responsibilities all in order to 1) increase student achievement; 2) enhance the quality, adequacy, and equality of educational opportunities; and 3) allocate and manage resources efficiently and effectively.

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• Special Act 97-4 provides the board of trustees with unique collective bargaining powers.

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• State monitors were created by Special Act 97-4 to oversee progress made by the board and school district to improve operations and increase student academic performance.

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• Quarterly progress reports are developed by the state monitors and presented to the legislature, governor, State Board of Education, and the board of trustees.

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• The Hartford board of trustees is guided by several strategic planning documents put forth by the school district, the state Department of Education, various consultants, and the community at large. The major planning endeavors and consultants’ reports help shape the board's focus in several key operational and academic areas.

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• A 10-year master facilities plan is scheduled for completion in November 1999. Since 1996, approximately $128 million in bond funding has been approved for capital improvements to school facilities, including construction of a new Hartford Public High School.

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• Major improvements have been made to the district’s administrative operating systems including finance/budgeting, purchasing, personnel, and technology.

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• The board of trustees has implemented several key policies intended to increase student achievement; major programmatic initiatives intended to increase student performance have also been made.

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